FINLAND: The Strategic Island of Suursaari

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Stand at the edge of Suursaari, a pivotal point in the Baltic Sea, where the echoes of centuries-long conflicts reverberate through its soil. Situated just 40 kilometers from Kotka, 110 kilometers from Helsinki, and 140 kilometers from Tallinn, this island, also known as Gogland, currently lies under Russian control.

In this blog post, we delve into the turbulent history of Suursaari, a coveted jewel in the Baltic. We unravel the reasons behind its enduring allure and examine its geostrategic significance, pondering the potential future roles of this island amidst the vast expanse of what is now a NATO-dominated region.

Suursaari is filled with high ridges and lakes, picture credit: SA Kuva 

EARLY HISTORY 

Suursaari, nestled in the Baltic Sea, boasts a history that stretches back to antiquity, bearing witness to the footsteps of ancient settlers as far back as the Stone Age. The island's strategic position made it an attractive prospect for early inhabitants seeking both natural resources and maritime advantages.

Finns have inhabited the island since the 16th century. Throughout the medieval period, Suursaari found itself entangled in the power struggles of the region, coming under the sway of the Swedish Empire. Under Swedish rule, it likely served as a crucial outpost, guarding key sea routes and providing a foothold in the Baltic.

SWEDISH AND RUSSIAN RULE

In 1713, during the Great Northern War between the empires of Sweden and Russia, the island fell to the Russian Tsar, Peter I. A decade later, in 1723, he oversaw the construction of its first lighthouse.

The Battle of Hogland in 1788 marked a pivotal naval clash during the Russo-Swedish War of 1788-1790, taking place near the island of Suursaari. Under the leadership of Prince Charles, Duke of Södermanland, the Swedish fleet engaged the Russian fleet commanded by Vice Admiral Samuel Greig. Although the initial Swedish onslaught disrupted Russian supply lines and inflicted damage upon key vessels such as the flagship "Vladislav," the battle concluded inconclusively, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

Suursaari's destiny underwent another shift in 1809 with the culmination of the Finnish War. Following this conflict's resolution, the Swedish Empire was compelled to relinquish all of Finland to Russia, thus birthing the Grand Duchy of Finland, which included Suursaari. Two fishing villages on the island fell under the administration of Viipuri.

Under Russian rule, which persisted until Finland gained independence in 1917, Suursaari emerged as a favored retreat for Finland's artistic intelligentsia in the early 1900s. Renowned artists like Magnus Ecknell, Thorsten Waenerberg, and Eero Snellman frequented the island during summers, christening it "Paradise Island" (or "Paratiisisaari" in Finnish), also renowned as the "pearl of the Gulf of Finland."

During Finland's tenure of Suursaari, the island served as a strategic radio location for targeting communications in Soviet Russia.

Suursaari used to have a casino as part of its tourist attractions, picture credit: SA Kuva 

WORLD WAR II

1939 to 1942 - Hostilities with the Soviets

Suursaari held a notable status as a tourist destination for Finland, boasting a small drinks factory and two bustling fishing villages, Suurkylä and Kiiskinkylä, nestled on its eastern coast. Adding to its allure was a modest casino. The primary livelihood for residents stemmed from seal hunting and traditional fishing. Despite its tranquil facade, Suursaari's strategic position made it a prime target and a persistent thorn in the side of Soviet Russia.

In 1939, the Soviets approached Finland with a proposal: lease Suursaari and four other uninhabitable island clusters, alongside ceding sizable portions of populated lands on the Karelian Isthmus, crucial for Leningrad's defense. In return, Finland would receive vast swaths of sparsely populated Karelian territory. The Finnish response was a resolute denial.

This, among other factors, sparked the Winter War between Finland and Russia from 1939 to 1940. During the conflict, the Soviets seized Suursaari. In the war's early days, the island faced bombardment, prompting the evacuation of all military personnel and civilians. The unoccupied island became an easy conquest for the enemy.

In the subsequent Continuation War, Suursaari changed hands repeatedly. Initially, the Red Army's retreat saw Finnish forces reclaim Suursaari. However, Soviet resurgence in 1942 led to its recapture by the Soviets.

This oscillation instilled dread in the Finnish Defense Forces. Fearing the island's fortification as a potential threat, they launched a bold incursion in 1942, traversing the ice to ambush the Red Army. The ensuing battle was fierce, culminating in a Finnish victory and the island's reclamation.

Yet, this reprieve proved fleeting when, in 1944, the Germans initiated Operation Tanne Ost, assaulting the island. The situation turned dire for the Finns as German officers, well-acquainted with the island's terrain and tactics, posed a formidable challenge. These officers had acquired their knowledge through Finland's past alliance with German troops.

Finnish troops on Suursaari in 1942, picture credit SA Kuva

1944 - Fighting with the Germans

On September 14, 1944, around 2,700 soldiers from the Wehrmacht and Kriegsmarine boarded 40 ships in Tallinn, bound for a confrontation on Suursaari. Before the attack, the German commander attempted negotiations with his Finnish counterpart, Lieutenant Colonel Martti Miettinen. Lieutenant Colonel Miettinen was stationed on Suursaari. The German commander hoped to avoid conflict by persuading the Finns to peacefully surrender the island. However, any hope of resolution was shattered when a German minesweeper boat arrived at the island's eastern docks, demanding Finnish surrender at midnight. The Finnish commander staunchly refused, sparking the commencement of German troop landings on September 15th, 1944, met with determined resistance from Finnish forces who unleashed heavy firepower at 00:55.

The conflict escalated as Germans successfully landed more troops, yet encountered staunch Finnish opposition that swiftly curtailed further landings. Particularly effective was the Finnish defense on Suursaari's western flank. Though initially aided by darkness, dawn assaults failed to yield significant gains, with only one German vessel sunk amidst the relentless Finnish barrage. Finnish maneuvers strategically compelled a retreat of German naval assets to the island's sheltered western perimeter, severing effective artillery support for the beleaguered landing forces.

Simultaneously, Soviet aerial bombardment further weakened German resolve, disrupting planned reinforcements and prompting a gradual German withdrawal to Tallinn, leaving stranded vessels and thwarted ambitions in their wake. Ultimately, the operation concluded as a resounding failure for the Germans, with Finnish forces capturing a substantial number of prisoners and inflicting significant casualties, marking a decisive victory in the theater of war.

This engagement on Suursaari sparked hostilities between Finland and Nazi Germany, leading to the onset of the Lapland War. The battle at Suursaari cost the Germans 155 soldiers killed and 1,231 captured. The prisoners were dutifully handed over to the Soviet Union by the Finns. About 900 Germans perished at sea, drowning when their vessels sank.

Finnish soldier watching for German troops on Suursaari, picture credit SA Kuva

MODERN ERA

When Finland ceded parts of Karelia as part of the peace treaty with the Soviet Union, which marked the end of the Continuation War, Suursaari and several other islands were included in the deal.

The wooden village of Suurkylä was razed and replaced with a handful of modern buildings. Remnants of old fortifications from previous wars and occupations still linger on the island.

Following Russia's occupation of Crimea in 2014, they opted to modernize Suursaari by constructing a modern helipad and a radar station. Consequently, the island is now off-limits to tourists, and foreigners require special permits to land on Suursaari.

It's been speculated that Suursaari now serves as an emergency landing point and refueling station for Russia. Satellite observations reveal that Russia has maintained and enhanced military structures on Suursaari, likely due to its significant geopolitical importance, particularly given its location amidst a NATO-dominated sea.

Suursaari or Gogland is placed quite close to Helsinki, Tallinn and St Petersburg. 

CONCLUSION

The loss of the island of Suursaari represents a significant blow to Finland, its geopolitical importance far-reaching and undeniable. Together with the Åland Islands, Suursaari and neighboring islets in the Baltic Sea offer Russia strategic positions from which potential attacks could be launched toward Finland and Estonia—a sobering reality that underscores the region's volatility.

Once revered as an island paradise by modern artists at the turn of the century, Suursaari's tranquil facade belies its tumultuous past, marred by bloodshed and conflict. From its serene shores to its dark history of warfare, Suursaari remains a poignant symbol of both natural beauty and human strife.

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